"That's no excuse, the Knicks are playing great, so that's no excuse," World Peace said. "You can't use it as an excuse for us. Thank you. Thanks for trying."

Though the Lakers age can create problems from time to time, I agree with MWP here... it's no damn excuse, especially since last night's game came 3 days after the Friday night win against Portland. Aside from Jordan Hill (10 points, 8 boards in 19 minutes of play), and in some minutes of the 4th quarter (desperation time), last night's effort was listless & inexcusable. Sure, you can criticize Kobe's shot selection last night (29 attempts) in relation to how poorly Gasol (2-11 FG) & Howard (1-7 FG) shot, but I think it wouldn't have mattered if the 2 big men had got more shots... they simply would have continued to shoot poorly. They play the Clippers (their winning streak ended last night at Denver) on Friday, which will be a Clippers home game. I can only hope the Lakers don't fully embarrass themselves, because I don't like their chances much for that game. Tuner (22 points, 13 boards) and Jrue Holiday (26 points, 10 assists) really impressed for Philly, a team that had more energy & offensive cohesion on the Staples Center court last night.

So I've gone to a couple games recently. Last night I was at the Grizz-Celtics game up in Boston. Celtics look increasing bad- they can't get stops. The offense isn't putrid, but its not good enough to overcome their defense. As an aside, I was there with the UConn Alumni Association and some people there were clearly more UConn than Celtics fans, as they cheered whenever Rudy Gay did something.

Saturday night I was at the Cavaliers-Nets game in Brooklyn, which was a real good game. Kyrie rimmed out a game tying three as time expired. I'm also excited to tell my kids I was at the great CJ Miles - Brook Lopez shootout of 2012. One quibble- the Nets crowd was deaaaaad. Sitting, making almost no noise on the final defensive stand. I dunno if it was a bunch of out of towners like me with no horse in the race, hipsters being too cool to cheer, or just a crappy crowd, but it was dissapointing.

I've been aching to get back to Staples Center for a game this season, but with my job status at still unemployed, it wouldn't be wise to spend money (regardless of how much I would love to) for a trip there. Any pictures from these two trips, in particular to the game in Boston? Seeing what they've got up in the rafters at the TD Garden must have been a great sight for you.

Ah, no pictures. But yeah seeing all the banners is always cool. First game I've been to since they played the Bobcats almost two years ago. Shaq dropped like 22 and 8 in that game in one of his career's last good performances.

edit: and hopefully you'll be able to rejoin the working world soon and treat yourself to a game before the season ends!

The last game I attended was last January against Cleveland... it was great to see Irving play in person, even if his career in the NBA had just begun. I was also able to get this message up on the ribbon board (below the Jumbo Tron above the court) for
@DarthIntegral &
@xblackout :

I'm bummed because I just realized the Cavs trip to Denver this year is next Friday, and I've got plans. Which double stinks, because I found some cheap tickets. Boo. Guess I'll have to wait till next year to see Kyrie

For the first time ever in their history here in L.A., the Clippers can legitimately win a title, whereas the Lakers will be lucky to get out of the first round of the playoffs* (assuming they make it there). It's truly historic, because this has never really happened before (sure, the Clippers had a better playoff run than the Lakers in 2006, but were they in real contention for the title? No.) out here when things have been this lopsided in favor of the Clippers. Meh.

When you've got Chris Paul being the best player on the floor in this game (30 points, 13 assists), and the Clippers playing a better inside game (where you'd think the Lakers would have an advantage... Clips outscored the Lakers 52-36 in the paint), you're going to end up with the Clippers winning. The Lakers showed signs* in this game (Nash dished out 10 assists, Kobe's 38 points included some niiiiiiice shots in the 4th quarter (and that 1st quarter dunk on Paul), Howard had a good double double (21 & 15), and Hill (13 points) and Meeks (14 points) were effective enough, but moral victories don't mean ****, particularly with the Lakers already racking up their 17th loss of the season (17?! ). The electricity of the crowd made for great theater, as did watching the game with my brother.

I agree, and either he isn't making adjustments to get Gasol more shots (the only thing that's happen to that effect of late is Pau's 3-point attempts, and though Pau has made a few, his focus needs to stay in the paint & perimeter) or Gasol is simply in another phase of career, since his had problems now for almost 2 years. An adjustment D'Antoni should try though: bring Pau off the bench, and replace him in the starting lineup with either MWP or Jordan Hill.

This season is just getting more & more ridiculous. Signs of good play (Nash dishing out 13 assists, Meeks & Hill again competent off the bench, Howard with tying his career high in rebounds with 26) went for naught in the 7 (112-105) point loss to Denver, and then today's news of seriousness of the Howard & Gasol injuries. Currently 3 games out of the 8th seed, and games this week at Houston, San Antonio & then OKC comes here to La La Land on Friday night. Good grief.

OKC slapped Philly off the court the other night. Have fun remaining below .500 with us. It's great to be able to say the 76ers are keeping pace with the Lakers, but I don't know if this is precisely how we hoped it would happen...

It's not his fault the Lakers have made some serious errors in coaches hired (it's getting harder & harder to defend the Lakers hiring of D'Antoni), and they didn't trade for him to be a leader, or at least right away... the worst case scenario (that would make Howard not sign an extension to stay with the Lakers) would be the way this season is going, especially since there's a legit chance the Lakers may miss the playoffs. Even if that happens, I would hope he would have enough sense to realize the potential of what this franchise can still do down the road.